The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 24

JOSEPH's fist clenched seeing Iris inside the Intensive Care Unit. After nearly five hours of the operation and saving Iris’ life, the doctor finally stepped out of the operating room. The doctor told him that Iris was safe, but she was not yet out of danger. Kaya nanatili ito sa loob ng ICU. Mabuti na lamang at sa itaas ng puso ni Iris tumama ang bala at hindi sa mismong puso nito. He couldn’t forgive himself if Iris died.

Joseph left the ICU and went to the rooftop of the hospital. Hindi naman siya nag-aalala na baka may kalaban. His men were protecting Iris, and some of them were just around the hospital and secretly protecting him and Iris.

He looked down and saw the bustling lights in the street. Humawak siya sa railing. Hindi niya akalain na mangyayari ang ganito.

“Iris…”

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ngayon lamang nakaramdam si Joseph ng matinding pag-aalala. At kay Iris niya naramdaman ‘yon. He was worried and frightened about what had happened to her.

Austin and Monti looked at each other when they stepped on the rooftop and saw Joseph staring at nothing. Kilala nila ang Mafia Don. Naging tahimik ito at sobrang kalmado ngunit alam nila sa likod ng pagiging tahimik at kalmado nito, may mga iniisip na itong masama laban sa nanakit kay Miss Iris. The Mafia Don was probably thinking on killing the man who hurt Miss Iris.

“Don.” Monti walked towards the Don. He bowed his head.

Hindi lumingon si Joseph kahit pa narinig niya si Monti at nanatili siyang nakatingin sa kawalan. Then later on, he speaks with a cold voice, “Austin, kill the hitman. Make him experience an excruciating death.”

Austin looked at Monti and Monti nodded his head. He took a deep breath before speaking because he didn’t know what Don Joseph’s reaction would be, once he informed him of the information he had gathered about the hitman. “Milord, the hitman was dead.”

Mabilis na humarap si Joseph kay Austin. “What did you say?”

“Milord, the hitman was dead. We found him dead on the spot he stayed, and he seems to have been shot too, by another sniper,” Wika ni Austin.

“Who killed him?” Joseph asked. He knew that there were two snipers since he saw the red dot on Iris, and he caught a glimpse of a red dot on his chest too.

Umiling si Austin. “We didn’t find out, Milord. But the hitman who hurt Miss Iris was under the Grand Old Master’s order.” Austin was referring to the Don’s grandfather. “But there were two snipers on that day, milord. One is aiming at Miss Iris and one is aiming at you. The sniper aiming at you didn’t hurt you but the hitman aiming at Miss Iris pulled the trigger.”

Joseph frowned. “Two snipers? Are they not on the same side?”

“I think they are not on the same side, Milord,” said Austin.

“Find out about him,” Joseph ordered. “I want concise details, Austin.”

Austin bowed his head. “Yes, Milord,” then he left.

Monti cleared his throat. “Don, Signor Alexandro called and was asking about you.”

“What did you tell him?” Joseph turned his back to Monti. Muli siyang tumingin sa ibaba ng hospital. He heard the ambulance wailing and saw the ambulance stopped in front of the hospital. May inilabas silang stretcher and the patient was wheeled inside the hospital. Tinignan niya ang sariling kamay. His hand was covered with Iris’s blood and he trembled, remembering the scene.

He had killed countless bastards and their blood would sometimes be spilled on him. It didn’t bother him. Ngayon lamang siya nakaramdam ng ganito. Matinding takot at pag-aalala ang lumukob sa kaniya nang bumagsak sa mismong harapan niya si Iris at duguan.

“I didn’t say anything, Don. But Signor Alexandro wanted me to relay his message to you. Whatever you wish to do, he will support you unconditionally,” said Monti. “I guess he has already had an idea about Miss Iris.”

Tipid lamang na ngumiti si Joseph. “He is my father. We have the same kind of thinking. It’s not surprising if he already knew about Iris.” Aniya.

Napatango naman si Monti.

“Have you visited the Carranza family?” Joseph asked afterward.

“Yes, Don. But the head of the Carranza family told me that he won’t going to obey you.”

Napatango si Joseph. “Ganun ba? Then kill them all.” Malamig niyang saad saka umalis ng rooftop.

Napabuntong hininga naman si Monti. He already expected this order from the Mafia Don. This is the reason why the other Mafia families are afraid of the Mafia Don. He could order someone to kill someone without hesitation. He doesn’t even bat an eyelash.

Good thing I was the underboss of the De Luca family. Never did it cross my mind to stand against the Mafia Don’s way.

IRIS was in a coma, and she even had cardiac arrest two times. She was fortunate that she survived, but she fell into a coma. Joseph guarded Iris and he never left her side. Sometimes, he talks to her and tells her stories whenever he enters the ICU.

Two weeks had passed, Iris was still in a coma and the doctor found that Iris might lose her memory because her head was hit.

But Joseph doesn’t care anymore. He only wants to do something. Something that he might face consequences in the future.

“I have to protect her. If she becomes my woman, no one will dare to touch her in the underground organization. And I will have the right to fight against my grandfather in the name that Iris will be part of my family.” Joseph sighed and looked at Iris. Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito. “I’m sorry if I decide without your consent, but this is the only way I think of protecting you. Don’t worry, I will be good to you.”

Hinalikan ni Joseph ang kamay ni Iris. “You might hate me, and I am willing to accept your anger.”

Joseph then slipped the ring on Iris’ ring finger.